Pathological Overview and Antioxidant Status of Thyme on H2O2-induced Spleen Tissues Damage
Guesmi Fatma *
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunisia.
Landoulsi Ahmed
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunisia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: To study the preventive effect of Thymus algeriensis essential oil (TAS) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced spleen toxicity in rats.
Materials and Methods: Rats were treated with Hydrophobic fractions of Thymus algeriensis (180 mg/kg body weight, n=6), H2O2 (0.1, 1 mmol/L body weight, n=6) and the exposure to both drugs orally for 15 days. Histological examination was performed and the levels of biochemical parameters and lipid peroxides were determined.
Results: In spleen tissue protein, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione (GST, GPx and GSH) levels were increased significantly (P<0.05) in the essential oil pretreated rats when compared to H2O2. TAS decreased the intracellular malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in spleen tissues. Vascular congestion was seen in spleen of high dose H2O2-treated rats and normal architecture of tissues was observed in other groups.
Conclusion: The biochemical parameters and histopathology examination support the cytoprotective effect of Thyme which could be attributed to terpenes.
Keywords: H2O2, Thymus algeriensis, spleen, MDA, antioxidant enzymes, non-enzymatic antioxidants.